§ 14. Miss Herbisonasked the Minister of Labour how many of the redundant workers of Smith and McLean, Gartcosh, are still unemployed; and what are the prospects of early future employment.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodOf those declared redundant since 1st January, 1958, 106 are still registered as unemployed. My local officers are doing everything possible to place them in other work, but I regret to say that the immediate prospects are not very good.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the Minister aware that 106 who are still unemployed have been unemployed for a considerable time? Is he also aware that over 50 per cent. of the workers at Messrs. Smith and McLean have become redundant, and that those who are working are working only a 4-day week? Surely, there must be some steps which the Minister could take that would bring hope to this area, which, if nothing is done by his Department, will be without hope for the future?
§ Mr. MacleodI do not think that is so. As the hon. Lady knows, this particular part of Lanarkshire is regarded as one of the very highest priority. It is in that area, for example, that we are building the advance factory in Scotland, and, as the hon. Lady knows well, we are also going ahead with the plans for the new steel mill. Part of the trouble arises from this immediate problem, to which she has directed her question—that this was an old-fashioned hand mill unable to compete with modern methods. We must do everything we can to attract more modern industry to that area.